Today's News

The father of a 13-year-old girl who disappeared for a day in February 2009 with a Rhode Island man, testified of the horror the family faced of not knowing where their daughter was for that 24-hour period. And, he said, the ramifications of that event have continued to be felt by their daughter and the family.

A Hardy woman, accused of embezzling money from the Hardy Volunteer Fire Department, will stand trial on those charges, after all.

Deborah Lynn Shifflett, 39, entered no contest pleas last month in Bedford County Circuit Court on 10 felony embezzlement charges, but withdrew those pleas during a hearing Friday. Her trial has now been scheduled for Jan. 18.

Bedford Pregnancy Center finds temporary home
The Bedford Pregnancy Center now has a temporary home at Brookhill Wesleyan Church 1043 Cifax Road Forest, 24551. The phone number is the same (540) 587-5900. The Pregnancy Center will be able to continue seeing clients as usual. The organization is seeking a permanent building for the Center to purchase. Anyone who would like to make a tax deductible donation may send those to P.O. Box 632, Bedford, VA 24523.

Over the last few weeks I conducted a series of in-person town hall meetings and telephone town hall meetings throughout the 6th Congressional District. These meetings allowed me the opportunity to speak with thousands of my constituents and answer their questions. It is clear that the recently enacted “health care reform” law continues to be of great concern to a majority of Americans.

The home mortgage interest rate is now at the lowest it has been in decades. In view of this favorable rate market you may be considering the purchase of a home or perhaps refinancing your existing home loan, in either case you may want to consider a loan guaranteed by VA. The basic eligibility requirements include; active military service and discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.

Saturday marks the ninth anniversary of an event that still stands huge in my mind. That Tuesday was such a beautiful bright September morning and, while the weather didn’t change, everybody’s mood quickly darkened. As the events unfolded, somebody set up a TV at the receptionist’s desk. I can recall watching that TV as an airliner crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers.

About 230 enthusiastic Republicans turned out for a dinner last month at Bedford Elementary School and the party’s prospects this fall appeared to be the cause, judging from comments by various speakers at the event.

“The pendulum has been swinging away from us for some time,” said State Senator Ralph Smith. “Now it is swinging back.”
“I think things are looking good for us in November,” he said.

The building on North Bridge Street, formerly occupied by Guilded Era, has been a haven of activity since that business moved in June. Since then, a trio of local entrepreneurs have been at work on the interior getting ready to open the Bedford General Store.

Bedford General Store, now open, is owned by Rachel Ellis, Linwood Hoffman and Dan Plattus. It’s actually several stores in one — the three rent out interior space to various small vendors, providing a variety of offerings.